Nano cory
Gastrodermus gracilis
Also known as Corydoras gracilis, Shy cory, Gracile cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.4 in
- 3.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal
- 45 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Central Amazon in northwestern Brazil, in tributaries of the rio Madeira.
Overview
The nano cory is a tiny, peaceful shoaling cory for a small, calm tank. It is a better fit once you have kept fish for a while.
Did you know
The nano cory is one of the smallest members of the whole cory group. Without a proper school, it stays well hidden.
Caring for the nano cory
Keep nano cories in a group of eight or more, in a small, calm tank of at least 12 gal (45 L). Give them smooth, fine sand and gentle filtration.
Nano cories want soft, acidic water, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Feed small sinking foods such as micro pellets, crushed flake and frozen cyclops.
They are peaceful and suit a community of tiny tank mates. Nano cories are a moderate challenge to breed.
Good to know
The nano cory wears a single arched dark stripe along the upper flank. Unlike some lookalikes, its stripe does not pass through the eye. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Gastrodermus, as Gastrodermus gracilis, and it is also known as Corydoras gracilis.
In the wild
The nano cory comes from tributaries of the rio Madeira, in the central Amazon of northwestern Brazil. It lives in small, soft, slightly acidic streams, foraging over fine sand and leaf litter in slow, shaded water. It is tiny, so it stays close to cover in groups.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The nano cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Bamboo shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)
Black devil snail
Faunus ater
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Freshwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a nano cory need?
A nano cory needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a nano cory need?
A nano cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
What does a nano cory eat?
A nano cory eats small sinking foods, such as micro pellets, crushed flake and frozen cyclops.
How big does a nano cory get?
An adult nano cory reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
Does a nano cory need a group?
Yes. A nano cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.4 in (3.5 cm)13 gal (50 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Sixray cory
Gastrodermus pauciradiatus
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)
1.3 in (3.3 cm)10 gal (38 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Pygmy cory
Gastrodermus pygmaeus
1.3 in (3.3 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)
1.3 in (3.2 cm)10 gal (38 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Dwarf cory
Gastrodermus hastatus
1.3 in (3.2 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Nain dwarf cory
Gastrodermus nanus
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Nijssen's cory
Gastrodermus nijsseni
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Guapore cory
Gastrodermus guapore
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)